Joseph A. Rodriguez

Joseph A. Rodriguez, 80, of Rockford passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2017, in his home surrounded by his loving family. Born April 14, 1937, in Rockford, the son of Rejino and Maria (Baraza) Rodriguez. Joe was a veteran serving in the United States Navy for 4 years and assisted in the Suez Crisis. He married Louise Forbes on September 16, 1961 at St. Mary’s Church. Joe became a notable and reputable plasterer, learning his trade while working with Vernetti at Mid-States Construction and later with Terry Brothers Plastering. He opened his own business Rodriguez Plastering in 1977. He was a very social and charismatic person who had a friend everywhere he went. Joe was a coach and a mentor at heart; coaching 18 years of little league baseball at Roy Gayle as well as basketball teams and attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events was a large part of Joe’s life. He was a diehard Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers fan. The Rodriguez family would like to give a special thank you to the doctors and staff at OSF, RNA and DaVita Dialysis for the wonderful care they provided Joe and his family.
Lovingly survived by his wife of 56 years, Louise; children, Josie (Dan) Becker of New Mexico, Andy (Tami) Rodriguez of Rockton, Louis (Sophie) Rodriguez of Loves Park, Daniel (Marina) Rodriguez of Ohio, John (Erin) Rodriguez of Machesney Park and Tom (Robin Rush) Rodriguez; grandchildren, Leah, Dana, Zachary, Chelsea, Zandra, Miranda, Brittney, Trevor, Jaxon and Addison; sister, Lupe (Jay) Sandwick; brother, Richard (Diane) Rodriguez; sister-in-law, Helen Rager and extended Rodriguez, Martinez and Sanchez families. Predeceased by his parents and in-laws, Owen and Julia Forbes.
Funeral mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 11, 2017 at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Rev. Alejandro del Toro officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel and will continue at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of mass. Burial in Willowbrook Cemetery, Roscoe to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a fund to be established in Joe’s name at a later date. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.